Things you noticed about your Mazda 5

[chad99]

I just noticed there isn't any steering lock on my 2013, with no key and the ign you can still turn the wheel end to end.

The rear rotors are pretty large for a car of this size and weight

The immobilizer system on the 5 reads as a Mazda 2 which is the same as the 3 but not the same as the 6

After working on my other car, A4 avant, this thing is like a walk in the park. The Audi is over engineered with crap plastics (most German cars) the Mazda (like all the other Japanese cars ive owned) is just simple engineering and quality plastics.

 

[Indelibility]

The stock motor mounts are garbage, all 3 of them.

It has more interior room than a car this size deserves.

The high shifter and low cup holders are perfect.

What blind spots?

 

[phunky.buddha]

Good info Chad- just watch out for all the sharp points on the underside. My Hondas and Nissans don't cut me under the car like the Mazda does...

 

[Secondtyme]

Every car would be better with a height adjustable drivers seat. The mini-van wouldn't have a negative connotation if they all drove like the 5. Little on the outside, big on the inside, whats not to love?

 

[sac02]

I just noticed there isn't any steering lock on my 2013, with no key and the ign you can still turn the wheel end to end.

How sure are you of that, I thought I remember mine locking? Though I do think I had to turn the wheel quite a bit (like 180 degrees).

The sun visors annoy me. Very half-assed design. They leave a gaping hole for sun to blind me at the rear view mirror, A-pillar, AND B-pillar.

 

[chad99]

I did it last night, maybe mine isnt working?, if it isn't it must be electronic not mechanically linked to the ign key; I have a aftermarket push to start system on it. I have never seen a steering lock that took 180 to lock though.

It is a bit worrying though, I remember the escalades didn't have locks so thugs would just put it in netural then have a friend push the car around the block with another car. Luckily its a 5 so no one wants to steal it lol

 

[fanbanlo]

Aftermarket push to start system sounds interesting... Good? How much? Link?

 

[Vasy]

I just noticed there isn't any steering lock on my 2013, with no key and the ign you can still turn the wheel end to end.

This seems to be a defect, not a rule. If you want this to work, take back to Mazda to have it fixed.
Mine locks in a few degrees.

 

[chad99]

Guys in reference to the steering lock I think it only applys to 2013+
Reason being if you look at page 126 ish in the manual for the 2012 it says it will lock the steering column but the 2013 manual makes no mention of locking the steering column, I guess led mirror blinkers are not the only things different between 12 and 13.

Cost cutting measures at work it seems.

Oh and I got the push start from a friend, im not sure where he got it from but its just a generic one.

 

[Silentnoise713]

I did it last night, maybe mine isnt working?, if it isn't it must be electronic not mechanically linked to the ign key; I have a aftermarket push to start system on it. I have never seen a steering lock that took 180 to lock though.

Does the push to start require you to insert the key into the ignition or have it somewhere near the ignition? I’m more inclined to think it is electronically enabled. I suspect the aftermarket alarm/remote start required you to bypass the OE immobilizer. I would suspect this bypass also disabled the steering column locked, which (edit: assuming is correct) is good to know IMO.

 

[torquelover]

chad99 is yours a manual trans? On my old Fusion, autos had steering lock, manuals didn't.

Things I noticed in no particular order:
-Seems to get stuck in limbo between 1st and 2nd around low-speed corners, making transition from corner exit to throttle tip-in and take-off longer than necessary. Shifting to manual control fixes this, and I use this anytime I am downtown.
-3rd row headrests uncomfortable for small and large alike, needs adjustment points. I use cut fuel tubing of various lengths now.
-When fuel door is open, sliding door can still open but it's travel is limited to prevent taking out the fuel door.
-Nose of car is too low. I have to get out of the car as a passenger to get it over the curb at the end of my driveway if I don't want it to scrape. No problems driving solo.
-Rear hatch will not open unless car is in park. Found this out downtown when garage attendants were opening trunks for inspection before entering the garage (they were not amused by this, put me on "subject of extra interest" list).
-Headlights have good light output and cutoff is not too sharp for a projector.
-Needs a lot more sound deadening, especially in 3rd row area. I plan to fix this soon, warming up garage as I type.
-Audio sound quality is terrible, worst I have heard on any newer car.
-A lot of air still comes out the dash vents (all 4) when airflow is set to floor only.
-Rear hatch area light is terrible. Blinds you when it's not covered up, and when it's covered up by something it's a black hole back there. I plan to fix this soon.
-Pedals seem too close in relation to dash/seat/steering wheel/b-pillar. Not an issue for short people (my wife).
-Where is the glovebox light?
-Fog lights do nothing. They help other drivers see you, and that's about it.
-Car feels drafty in winter somehow. Never gets toasty warm. Heat will get hot enough to make you feel like your face is going to melt off, but even at that point most surfaces feel cold to the touch.

 

[chad99]

Does the push to start require you to insert the key into the ignition or have it somewhere near the ignition? I’m more inclined to think it is electronically enabled. I suspect the aftermarket alarm/remote start required you to bypass the OE immobilizer. I would suspect this bypass also disabled the steering column locked, which (edit: assuming is correct) is good to know IMO.

The push start system I have (and most others I have searched) would require you to either cut the key off and leave it in the ign turned to ACC to keep the column unlocked, mine didn't need this but I did have to bypass the PATS system, which I'm fine with since I added a few other tricky starter kills of my own to the system.
Also even without the PATS bypassed there was no steering lock, I think that's the reason why they omitted it from the 2013 owners manual.

 

[chad99]

chad99 is yours a manual trans? On my old Fusion, autos had steering lock, manuals didn't.
.

Mine is a auto.
And good points about the lighting, those are also on my list of things to do
I 100% agree with the bad stereo, I am planning on replacing the factory deck and I already picked up some new speakers, just need to install them, I also have a 8" sub in a tiny box from my other car that I need to figure how to use; I'm thinking about using that space being the right rear storage area.

 

[Biber]

chad99 is yours a manual trans? On my old Fusion, autos had steering lock, manuals didn't.
..
-A lot of air still comes out the dash vents (all 4) when airflow is set to floor only.
...

Oddly enough I only recently, last couple of weeks or so, noticed this. What I did noticed this morning, as I defrosted the windshield with wiper fluid (I know, pretty lazy and impatient) was the wipers going faster when I pushed on the pedal.

In general I've learned to try not to go looking for little things to be unhappy about with this car, as it seems to be a case of seek and ye shall all too easily find. Frankly, I'm still pissed about the MPG. It's simply criminal that a 2013 Japanese car gets the same mileage as a 70s Ford! And before anyone makes some excuse that it's a heavy car - the damn thing is hollow!

 

[hchia29]

THe only thing so far I dislike is changing the cabin air filter, man that is so hard to get to in the winter time to replace

 

[Vasy]

I'm still pissed about the MPG. It's simply criminal that a 2013 Japanese car gets the same mileage as a 70s Ford! And before anyone makes some excuse that it's a heavy car - the damn thing is hollow!

Ahhh,... WHAT are you talking about here?
You are driving 70s ford slightly engineered to look Japaneses. Only sky-active engine is a Mazda design, what we have in 5 till 2014 is still Ford engine and tranny.
That is why it gets lousy gas millage. Actually my 2005 3.5L V6 Malibu used to get same or better gas mileage as 2.5 4 in this car.

 

[torquelover]

Yes, gas mileage is so-so. This MZ5 replaced our 3.8 liter Chrysler Town and Country. The old van got better highway MPGs, the MZ5 better city MPGs so it's sort of a wash, but then the old van seemed twice as roomy, had a ton more power, was quieter/smoother, and could tow 3500#.

Filled up the washer fluid this morning. If the spout were a little higher, say even with or a little taller than the other filler spout next to it, would be nice. I was able to pour spill-free but it took some effort.

Also noticed that if you turn the parking lights on, you can check the miles on the car without turning the car on. Handy.

 

[fanbanlo]

I've noticed I don't like the big "D" for drive in red. Red was supposed to show warnings e.g. handbrake not fully released, or car door is not properly closed, or ABS has problem, etc.

Hopping into the Mazda5, I always unconsciously get scared with the color red on dash, and then noticed that oh it's just "D".

 

[phunky.buddha]

I've noticed I don't like the big "D" for drive in red. Red was supposed to show warnings e.g. handbrake not fully released, or car door is not properly closed, or ABS has problem, etc.

Hopping into the Mazda5, I always unconsciously get scared with the color red on dash, and then noticed that oh it's just "D".

There are a LOT of cars that use red dash themes... I hope you never have to drive a VW/Audi.

 

[fanbanlo]

Ya, but the red D just stands out quite a lot in the dash that's not predominately red.